John Hoffman is founder and CEO of Raleigh-based Aerial Images, Inc. In 1995, he completed negotiations with the Russians to use their satellite photo archives and also future photos. These he sells to countries who need high-altitude photos of their terrain.

Not only did North Carolina have the first plane flight (and the first plane wreck), but it also had the first photo taken of a plane in flight. This photo, featured in The State, July 18, was made by Captain John Daniels of Roanoke Island.